"Urban
Portraits, II." The African-American Cultural Center at the
University of Illinois at Chicago will host an exhibit and lecture
featuring artist Jim Silas Smoote, II. Smoote's exhibit is a collection
of contemporary portraitures. Each creation is a series of quilted
pieces with acrylic paint applied to the surfaces.

"For the past
20 years, Smoote has been exploring mask and fetish images through
the media of fiber and fabric," said Philip Royster, director of
the center and professor of English and African-American studies.
"His works appears in numerous public and private collections throughout
the United States."

WHEN:

Lecture/Opening
Reception
Dec. 7
5-8 p.m.

WHERE:

Addams Hall,
Room 207
830 S. Halsted St.

DETAILS:

The exhibit
and lecture are part of "Cultural Heritage Through the Arts"- the
center's year-long visiting artist series.

"This series
intends to increase cultural understanding among people from diverse
backgrounds," said Royster. "If nothing else, the exhibits and lectures
will help participants learn to use art to understand what it is
to be human and how humans achieve within a complex social order."

"The exhibitors
of 'Cultural Heritage Through the Arts' challenge audiences to address
discrimination, racism and prejudice at the same time that they
demonstrate that art transcends cultural differences," said Royster.

The exhibit
runs Dec. 1-31. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 4:45 p.m., or by appointment. Artists interested in being
a part of future visiting artist series should contact the African-American
Cultural Center at (312) 996-9549.

Funding for
the series is provided, in part, by grants from the Elizabeth Firestone
Graham Foundation and the Student Activities Funding Committee of
UIC.